Foldable table with traversing leg

ABSTRACT

A foldable table includes a table top, a table top elevator configured to support the table top above an underlying floor, and a leg motion-control unit. The table top includes a left panel and a right panel pivotably coupled together to change between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The table top elevator includes left legs pivotably coupled to the left panel of the table top and right legs pivotably coupled to the right panel of the table top. The leg motion-control unit configured to control motion of the left and right legs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 63/035,396, filed 5 Jun. 2020, the disclosure ofwhich is now expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a table, and particularly to a foldingtable. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to acenter-fold table with stowable legs.

SUMMARY

A foldable table may comprise a table top and a table top elevator. Thetable top may have a topside surface and an underside surface oppositethe topside surface. The table top elevator may be configured to supportthe table top above an underlying floor.

In some embodiments, the table top elevator may include left legspivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to a left end of the tabletop and right legs pivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to aright end of the table top. Each of the left legs and right legs may beconfigured to pivot relative to the table top about an associated pivotaxis from a stowed storage position to an extended use position. In thestowed storage position, the left and right legs extend along theunderside of the table top. In the extended use position, the left andright legs extend from the underside of the table top.

In some embodiments, the foldable table may further comprise legmotion-controller means for coordinating motion of the left or the rightlegs during movement of the left or the right legs from the stowedstorage position to the extended use position. The foldable table mayfurther comprise leg motion controller means for automatically retainingthe left or the right legs in the extended use position in response tomovement of the left or the right legs to the extended use positionwithout user activation of a lock included in the leg motion-controllerso that movement of the left legs or the right from the stowed storageposition to the extended use position causes retention of the left orthe right legs in the extended use position. The foldable table mayfurther comprise leg motion-controller means for releasing the left orthe right legs to move from the extended use position to the stowedstorage position by engaging the lock using only one hand.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodimentsexemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presentlyperceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable table including a table topmade up of left and right panels, a table top elevator having left andright legs that support the table top above an underlying floor, and aleg motion-control unit with left and right control assemblies thatprovide means for controlling motion of the left and the right legsduring motion from a stowed storage position as shown in FIG. 5 to anextended use position as shown in FIG. 6 and and for automaticallyretaining the left and the right legs in the extended use positionduring use of the foldable table;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1 showing each of the left and the rightleg motion-control assemblies includes a slide made up of bands fixed toa corresponding left or right panel of the table top to define a trackalong the underside of the table top, a guide link pivotably coupled tocorresponding left or right legs and captured in the track for slidingmotion along the table top so that motion of the legs is controlled bythe guide link, and a lock coupled to the table top and configured toselectively engage the guide link to block movement of the guide link(and hence the legs) when the legs are in the extended use position;

FIG. 3 is and exploded view of the led motion-control unit of FIG. 2showing the lock includes a plate configured to be coupled to the tabletop, a lock pin configured to move relative to the plate along a pinaxis from a normally closed position as shown in FIG. 9 to an openposition, and a spring configured to provide a bias force to the lockpin to urge the lock pin toward the closed position;

FIGS. 4-7 are a series of side elevation views showing that the foldabletable is movable from a folded configuration to an unfoldedconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the foldedconfiguration showing the left and the right panels in a collapsedposition in which the left and right panels extend along one another;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the process ofmoving to the unfolded configuration with the left and the right panelsof the table top pivoted from the collapsed position to an expandedposition in which the left and the right panels extend away from oneanother so as to expose the left and the right legs in the stowedstorage position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the process ofmoving to the unfolded configuration by moving each guide link from aproximal end of the track spaced apart from the lock toward a distal endof the track towards the lock to cause the left and the right legs topivot from the stowed storage position to the extended use position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the foldable table in the unfoldedconfiguration showing the left and the right legs pivoted from thestowed storage position to the extended use position and each guide linkis engaged by the associated lock at the distal end of the track toretain the left and right legs;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the foldable table of FIG. 7 with aportion of the table top broken away to show the leg motion-controlunit;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of FIG. 8 showing the leg motion-control unit inthe closed position and engaged with the guide link to block movement ofthe legs when the legs are in the extended use position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second foldable table similar to thefoldable table of FIGS. 1-9, the second foldable table including a tabletop made up of left and right panels, a table top elevator having leftand right legs that support the table top, and a leg motion-control unitwith left and right control assemblies that provide means forcontrolling motion of the left and the right legs during motion from thestowed storage position to the extended use position and showing thecontrol assemblies include a cam lock for selectively retaining the leftand the right legs in the extended use position during use of thefoldable table;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of FIG. 10 showing each control assembly of theleg motion-control unit includes a slide made up of bands fixed to acorresponding left or right panel of the table top to define a trackalong the underside of the table top, a guide link pivotably coupled tocorresponding left or right legs and captured in the track for slidingmotion along the table top so that motion of the legs is controlled bythe guide link, and the cam lock coupled to the table top and configuredto selectively engage the guide link to block movement of the guide link(and hence the legs) when the legs are in the extended use position;

FIGS. 12-14 are a series of cross-section views showing that cam lockpivots from a normally closed position to an open to receive the guidelink and retain the guide link so that the legs remain in the extendeduse position;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section view of the foldable table in the process ofmoving the guide link to change the left and right legs from the stowedstorage position to the extended use position;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the foldable table with the guidelink engaged with a cam surface of the cam lock to cause the cam lock topivot from the normally closed position to the open position relative tothe table top to receive the guide link; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the foldable table showing the camlock has moved back to the normally closed position over the guide linkto block movement of the guide link (and hence the legs) to retain thelegs in the extended use position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A foldable table 10 according to the present disclosure includes a tabletop 12, a table top elevator 14 that supports the table top above anunderlying floor 11, and a leg motion-control unit 16 as shown in FIGS.1-9. The table top 12 includes a left panel 30 and a right panel 32. Thetable top elevator 14 includes left legs 40F, 40R coupled to the leftpanel 30 of the table top 12 and right legs 42F, 42R coupled to theright panel 32 of the table top 12. The leg motion-control unit 16includes a left leg motion-control assembly 18L and a right legmotion-control assembly 18R.

The leg motion-control unit 16 is configured to provide means forcoordinating motion of the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42Rduring motion of the legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from a stowed storageposition, shown in FIG. 5, to an extended use position, shown in FIG. 7.The leg motion-control unit 16 is also configured to provide means forautomatically retaining the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R inthe extended use position during use of the foldable table 10 as shownin FIG. 5.

The leg motion-control unit 16 allows a user to change the left or theright legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storage position to theextended use position and automatically retain the left or the rightlegs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the extended use position using only onehand. The leg motion-control unit 16 automatically retains the left orthe right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R upon arrival of the left or the rightlegs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extended use position without useractivation of a lock. In this way, movement of the left or the rightlegs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storage position to the extendeduse position causes retention of the left or the right legs 40F, 40R,42F, 42R in the extended use position. The leg motion-control unit 16also provides means for releasing the left or the right legs 40F, 40R,42F, 42R using only one hand to allow the left or the right legs 40F,40R, 42F, 42R to move from the extended use position to the stowedstorage position.

The table top 12 is movable from a collapsed position, shown in FIG. 4,to an expanded position, shown in FIG. 5. In the collapsed position, theleft and the right panels 30, 32 are arranged to extend along oneanother reducing the footprint of the table top 12 and covering anunderside 35 of the table top 12. In the expanded position, the left andthe right panels 30, 32 are arranged to extend away from one another andexpose the underside 35 of the table top 12. To facilitate motion of thetable top 12, the left and the right panels 30, 32 are coupled to oneanother by a pivot joint 34 so that the left and the right panels 30, 32are mounted to pivot relative to one another about an axis 33.

The left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are each coupled to acorresponding left or right panel 30, 32 adjacent to a front 30F, 32F orrear 32R, 30R of the panels 30, 32 the table top 12 as shown in FIG. 5.The left legs 40F, 40R are coupled to the left panel 30 adjacent to aleft end 30E of the table top 12, while the right legs 42F, 42R arecoupled to the right panel 32 adjacent to a right end 32E of the tabletop 12. The left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are each mountedto pivot relative to the table top 12 about an associated pivot axis 44,46 so as to move from stowed storage position as shown in FIG. 5 to theexpanded use position as shown in FIG. 7.

The foldable table 10 is movable from a folded configuration as shown inFIG. 4 to an unfolded configuration as shown in FIG. 7. In the foldedconfiguration, the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in thestowed storage position so that the left and the right panels 30, 32 arein the collapsed position. In the unfolded configuration, the left andthe right panels 30, 32 are in the expanded position and the left andthe right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in the extended use position.

The leg motion-control unit 16 includes the left leg motion-controlassembly 18L and the right leg motion-control assembly 18R as shown inFIG. 5. The left leg motion-control assembly 18L is coupled to the leftpanel 30 of the table top 12 and to the left legs 40F, 40R of the tabletop elevator 14. The right leg motion-control assembly 18R is coupled tothe right panel 32 of the table top 12 and to the right legs 42F, 42R ofthe table top elevator 14. The left and the right leg motion-controlassemblies 18L, 18R are substantially similar.

Each of the left and the right leg motion-control assemblies 18L, 18Rillustratively includes a slide 20, a guide link 22, and a link lock 24as shown in FIGS. 2-7. The slide 20 cooperates with the underside 35 ofthe table top 12 to define a track 38 along the underside 35 of thetable top 12. The guide link 22 is located in the track 38 for slidingmotion along the underside 35 of the table top 12. The guide link 22 ispivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs 40F, 40R, 42F,42R so that motion of the left and right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R fromthe stowed storage position to the extended use position is controlledby the guide link 22. The link lock 24 is coupled to the table top 12and configured to selectively engage the guide link 22 to block movementof the guide link 22 when the legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in theextended use position.

The slide 20 includes bands 26, 28 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each ofthe bands 26, 28 are fixed to the associated panel 32 of the table top12 over a channel 36 formed in the underside 35 of the panel 32 todefine the track 38 along the underside 35 of the table top 12. Thetrack 38 extends between a proximal end 38P of the track 38 spaced apartfrom the link lock 24 and adjacent to the pivot joint 34 and a distalend 38D of the track 38 adjacent to the corresponding end 30E, 32E ofthe table top 12.

The guide link 22 has a U-shape including a mid-portion 50 and opposedends 52, 54 that extend from the mid-portion 50 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3,6, and 7. The mid-portion 50 is located in the track 38 for slidingmotion along the underside 35 of the table top 12. The opposed ends 52,54 are opposite the mid-portion 50 and pivotably coupled to theassociated left or right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R. One end 52 ispivotably coupled to the forward leg 40F, 42F, while the other end 54 ispivotably coupled to the rear leg 40R, 42R.

When the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in stowed storageposition, the guide link 22 is at the proximal end 38P of the track 38.To change the left and the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extendeduse position, the guide link 22 is moved from the proximal end 38P ofthe track 38 toward the distal end 38D of the track 38 to cause the leftand the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to pivot from the stowed storageposition to the extended use position. The link lock 24 is located atthe distal end 38D of the track 38 so that when guide link 22 is movedto pivot the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extendeduse position, the link lock 24 engages the guide link 22 to retain theleft or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R to the extended use position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the link lock 24 includes a plate 60, alock pin 62, and a spring 64 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 9. The plate 60 iscoupled to the table top 12. The lock pin 62 is coupled to the plate 60and moveable relative to the plate 60 along a pin axis 65 from anormally closed position as shown in FIG. 9 to an open position. Thespring 64 is located between the lock pin 62 and the plate 60 andconfigured to provide a bias force to the lock pin 62 to urge the lockpin 62 toward the normally closed position.

In the normally closed position, the lock pin 62 engages the guide link22 so that movement of the guide link 22 is blocked when the associatedleft or right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R are in the extended use positionas shown in FIG. 9. In the open position, the lock pin 62 is spacedapart from the guide link 22 so that movement of the guide link 22 ispermitted.

In the illustrative embodiment, the mid-portion 50 of the guide link 22is shaped to include a pin hole 56 that receives the lock pin 62 asshown in FIG. 9. The lock pin 62 extends into the pin hole 56 in theclosed position. The lock pin 62 is spaced apart from the pin hole 56 inthe open position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the lock pin 62 is shaped to include ashaft 70, a first lip 72, and a second lip 74 as shown in FIG. 9. Theshaft 70 extends between a first end 76 and a second end 78 spaced apartaxially from the first end 76 relative to the pin axis 65. The first lip72 extends radially outward from and circumferentially around the shaft70 relative to the pin axis 65. The second lip 74 extends radiallyoutward from and circumferentially around the shaft 70 relative to thepin axis 65.

The first end 76 of the shaft 70 engages the guide link 22 in theillustrative embodiment. The second end 78 is spaced apart from thefirst end 76 and defines a handle 80 for moving the lock pin 62.

The first lip 72 is spaced apart axially from the first end 76, whilethe second lip 74 is spaced apart axially between the second end 78 andthe first lip 72. The shaft 70 extends through the plate 60 such thatthe first lip 72 is on one side of the plate 60, while the second lip 74is on the other side of the plate 60. The second lip 74 has a greaterdiameter than the hole formed in the plate 60 through which the shaft 70extends.

The spring 64 is located axially between the first and second lips 72,74 relative to the pin axis 65. In the illustrative embodiment, thespring 64 is located axially between the plate 60 and the first lip 72.The spring 64 applies the bias force to the first lip 72 to urge thelock pin 62 toward the open position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the first end 76 of the lock pin 62 isrounded as shown in FIG. 9. The rounded surface, or cam surface, of thefirst end 76 allows movement of the guide link 22 into contact with thelock pin 62 to cause the lock pin 62 to move toward the open position.The movement of the guide link 22 compresses the spring 64 to move thelock pin 62 toward the open position.

As the guide link 22 is moved toward the link lock 24, the guide link 22engages the first end 76 of the lock pin 62. When the guide link 22 ismoved toward the distal end 38D of the track 38 into contact with thefirst end 76 of the lock pin 62, the lock pin 62 slides along the pinaxis 65 from the normally closed position to the open position to allowthe guide link 22 to pass the lock pin 62.

The lock pin 62 remains in the open position until the pin hole 56 inthe guide link 22 aligns with the first end 76 of the lock pin 62. Thespring 64 then biases the lock pin 62 into the pin hole 56 to blockmovement of the guide link 22, retaining the left or the right legs 40F,40R, 42F, 42R in the extended use position.

To release the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R, the user mustapply the opening force to the handle 80 of the lock pin 62 to overcomethe bias force. The opening force spaces the first end 76 of the lockpin 62 from the pin hole 56, which allows the guide link 22 to moverelative to the table top 12.

A method of unfolding and folding the foldable table 10 may includeseveral steps. To change the foldable table 10 from the foldedconfiguration as shown in FIG. 4 to the unfolded configuration as shownin FIG. 7, the method begins by pivoting the left and the right panels30, 32 away from each other to the expanded position to expose theunderside 35 of the table top 12, and thus the leg motion-control unit16.

Once, the table top 12 is in the expanded position, the left or theright leg motion-control assembly 18L, 18R may be used to change theleft or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42R from the stowed storageposition to the expanded use position. To do so, the guide link 22 ismoved from the proximal end 38P of the track 38 to the distal end 38D ofthe track 38 so that the link lock 24 engages the guide link 22. Thelink lock 24 then retains the left or the right legs 40F, 40R, 42F, 42Rin the expanded use position.

The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right legmotion-control assembly 18L, 18R. With both the left and the right legs40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the expanded use position, the foldable table 10is ready to be used.

To change the foldable table 10 from the unfolded configuration to thefolded configuration, the user applies the opening force to the lock pin62 of the link lock 24 to cause the lock pin 62 to change from theclosed position to the open position. This allows the guide link 22 tomove relative to the table top 12 so that the left or the right legs40F, 40R, 42F, 42R may be moved from the extended use position to thestowed storage position.

The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right legmotion-control assembly 18L, 18R. With both the left and the right legs40F, 40R, 42F, 42R in the stowed storage position, the table top 12 maybe pivoted to the collapsed position to cover the underside 35 of thetable top 12.

Another embodiment of a foldable table 210 in accordance with thepresent disclosure is shown in FIG. 10-14. The foldable table 210 issubstantially similar to the foldable table 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9 anddescribed herein. Accordingly, similar reference numbers in the 200series indicate features that are common between the foldable table 10and the foldable table 210. The description of the foldable table 10 isincorporated by reference to apply to the foldable table 210, except ininstances when it conflicts with the specific description and thedrawings of the foldable table 210.

The foldable table 210 includes a table top 212, a table top elevator214 that supports the table top 212 above the underlying floor 11, and aleg motion-control unit 216 as shown in FIG. 10. The table top 212includes a left panel 230 and a right panel 232. The table top elevator214 includes left legs 240F, 240R coupled to the left panel 230 of thetable top 212 and right legs 242F, 242R coupled to the right panel 232of the table top 212. The left and the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242Rare each mounted to pivot relative to the table top 212 so as to movefrom the expanded use position to the stowed storage position. The legmotion-control unit 216 includes a left leg motion-control assembly 218Land a right leg motion-control assembly 218R.

The leg motion-control unit 216 is configured to provide means forcontrolling motion of the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242Rduring motion of the legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R between the extendeduse position and the stowed storage position. The leg motion-controlunit 216 is also configured to provide means for automatically retainingthe left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended useposition during use of the foldable table 10.

In the illustrative embodiment, each of the assemblies 218L, 218Rinclude a cam lock 224 for selectively retaining the left and the rightlegs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position during use ofthe foldable table 210. The cam lock 224 includes a cam latch 266coupled to the table top to pivot relative to the table top from anormally closed position as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 to an open positionas shown in FIG. 13. The cam latch 266 pivots from the normally closedposition to the open position when the associated left or right legs240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are moved from the stowed storage position to theextended use position.

Each of the left and the right leg motion-control assemblies 218L, 218Rillustratively includes a slide 220, a guide link 222, and the cam lock224 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The slide 220 includes bands 226, 228 arefixed to the table top 212 over a channel 236 formed in the underside235 of the table top 212 to define a track 238 along the underside 235of the table top 212. The guide link 222 is located in the track 38 forsliding motion along the underside 235 of the table top 212. The guidelink 222 is pivotably coupled to the associated left or right legs 240F,240R, 242F, 242R so that motion of the left and right legs 240F, 240R,242F, 242R between the extended use position and the stowed storageposition is controlled by the guide link 222. The cam lock 224 iscoupled to the table top 212 and configured to selectively engage theguide link 222 to block movement of the guide link 222 when the legs240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are in the extended use position.

The cam latch 266 included in the cam lock 224 pivots open and thencloses in response to movement of the guide link 22 to the distal end238D of the track 238 when the corresponding left or right legs 240F,240R, 242F, 242R are pulled to the extended use position. The cam lock224 includes an cam surface 282 so that when the guide link 222 is movedtoward the distal end 238D of the track 238 into contact with the camsurface 282, the cam latch 266 pivots from the normally closed positionto the open position. This allows the guide link 222 to pass the camlatch 266 to the distal end 238D of the track 238. Then the cam latch266 pivots back toward the normally closed position to retain the guidelink 22 at the distal end 238D of the track 238.

This allows the user to change the left or the right legs 240F, 240R,242F, 242R to the extended use position and automatically retain theleft or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the extended useposition using only one hand. The movement of the left or the right legs240F, 240R, 242F, 242R from the stowed storage position to the extendeduse position causes retention of the left or the right legs 240F, 240R,242F, 242R in the extended use position. The cam latch 266 also providesmeans for releasing the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242Rusing only one hand to allow the left or the right legs 240F, 240R,242F, 242R to move from the extended use position to the stowed storageposition.

The cam lock 224 includes the cam latch 266 and a spring 264 as shown inFIGS. 11-14. The cam latch 266 is coupled to the table top 212 to pivotrelative to the table top 212 between the normally closed position andopen position about a cam axis 267. The spring 264 is located betweenthe cam latch 266 and the table top 212. The spring 264 is configured toprovide a bias force to the cam latch 266 to urge the cam latch 266toward the closed position.

The cam latch 266 is shaped to include the cam surface 282 and anengagement surface 284 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The cam surface 282 isshaped so that when the guide link 222 is moved toward the distal end238D of the track 238, as indicated by arrow 290, into contact with thecam surface 282, the cam latch 266 pivots from the normally closedposition to the open position. This allows the guide link 222 to passthe cam latch 266 to the distal end 238D of the track 238 as shown inFIG. 13. The spring 264 the biases the cam latch 266 to pivot backtoward the normally closed position to retain the guide link 22 at thedistal end 238D of the track 238. The engagement surface 284 has thesame profile shape as the guide link 222 to engage and retain the guidelink 222 to block movement of the legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R are in theextended use position.

In the illustrative embodiment, the cam latch 266 is shaped to includeindentations 286 as shown in FIGS. 11-14. The indentations 286 extendinto the cam latch 286 to provide a handle grip for the user. The handlegrip is configured to assist in assist in receiving an opening forceapplied to the cam latch 266 by the user when changing the associatedleft or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R from the extended use positionto the stowed storage position.

The guide link 222 has a U-shape including a mid-portion 250 and opposedends 252, 254 that extend from the mid-portion 250 as shown in FIGS.11-14. The mid-portion 250 is located in the track 238 for slidingmotion along the underside 235 of the table top 212. The opposed ends252, 254 are opposite the mid-portion 250 and pivotably coupled to theassociated left or right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R. One end 252 ispivotably coupled to the forward leg 240F, 242F, while the other end 254is pivotably coupled to the rear leg 240R, 242R.

To change the left and the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R to theextended use position, the guide link 222 is moved toward the cam lock224 located at the distal end 38D of the track 238 to cause the left orthe right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R to pivot from the stowed storageposition to the extended use position. The mid-portion 250 of the guidelink 222 is moved toward the distal end 238D of the track 238 into thecam surface 282 to cause the cam latch 266 to pivot toward the openposition as shown in FIG. 13.

As the guide link 222 continues to move toward the distal end 238D ofthe track 238, the guide link 22 moves past an end 283 of the cam latch266. The engagement surface 284 is contoured to match the shape of themid-portion 250 of the guide link 222 to cause the cam latch 266 topivot back to the closed position as shown in FIG. 14. The engagementsurface 284 of the cam latch 266 engages the mid-portion 250 of theguide link 222 and block movement of the left or the right legs 240F,240R, 242F, 242R in the extended use position

To release the left or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R, the usermust apply the opening force to the cam latch 266 of the cam lock 224 toovercome the bias force. The opening force pivots the end 283 of the camlatch 266 away from the table top 212 to create a space for the guidelink 222 to pass through, which allows the guide link 222 to moverelative to the table top 212.

A method of unfolding and folding the foldable table 210 may includeseveral steps. The method for unfolding the foldable table 210 issubstantially similar to the method of unfolding the foldable table 10.Once, the table top 212 is in the expanded position, the left or theright leg motion-control assembly 218L, 218R may be used to change theleft or the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R from the stowed storageposition to the expanded use position. To do so, the guide link 222 ismoved toward the distal end 238D of the track 238 so that the cam lock224 engages the guide link 222. The cam lock 224 then retains the leftor the right legs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the expanded use position.

The same steps are repeated for the other of the left or right legmotion-control assembly 218L, 218R. With both the left and the rightlegs 240F, 240R, 242F, 242R in the expanded use position, the foldabletable 10 is ready to be used.

To change the foldable table 210 from the unfolded configuration to thefolded configuration, the user applies the opening force to the camlatch 266 of the cam lock 224 to cause the cam latch 266 to pivot fromthe closed position to the open position. This allows the guide link 222to move relative to the table top 212 so that the left or the right legs240F, 240R, 242F, 242R may be moved from the extended use position tothe stowed storage position. The same steps are repeated for the otherof the left or right leg motion-control assembly 218L, 218R.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in theforegoing drawings and description, the same is to be considered asexemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown and described andthat all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of thedisclosure are desired to be protected.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable table comprising a table top having atopside surface and an underside surface opposite the topside surface, atable top elevator configured to support the table top above anunderlying floor, the table top elevator including left legs pivotablycoupled to the table top adjacent to a left end of the table top andright legs pivotably coupled to the table top adjacent to a right end ofthe table top, each of the left legs and right legs configured to pivotrelative to the table top about an associated pivot axis from a stowedstorage position in which the left and right legs extend along theunderside of the table top to an extended use position in which the leftand right legs extend from the underside of the table top, and legmotion-controller means for (i) coordinating motion of the left legsduring movement of the left legs from the stowed storage position to theextended use position, (ii) automatically retaining the left legs in theextended use position in response to movement of the left legs to theextended use position without user activation of a lock included in theleg motion-controller so that movement of the left legs from the stowedstorage position to the extended use position causes retention of theleft legs in the extended use position, and (iii) releasing the leftlegs to move from the extended use position to the stowed storageposition by engaging the lock using only one hand.
 2. The foldable tableof claim 1, further comprising leg motion-controller means for (i)coordinating motion of the right legs during movement of the right legsfrom the stoward storage position to the extended use position, (ii)automatically retaining the right legs in the extended use position inresponse to movement of the right legs to the extended use positionwithout user activation of another lock included in the legmotion-controller so that movement of the right legs from the stowedstorage position to the extended use position causes retention of theright legs in the extended use position, and (iii) releasing the rightlegs to move from the extended use position to the stowed storageposition by engaging the associated lock using only one hand.
 3. Thefoldable table of claim 2, wherein the leg motion-controller includes aleft leg motion-control assembly configured to coordinate motion of theleft legs during movement of the left legs from the stowed storageposition to the extend use position and a right leg motion-controlassembly configured to coordinate motion of the right legs duringmovement of the right legs from the stowed storage position to theextend use position, each of the left and right leg motion-controlassemblies including a slide fixed to the underside surface of the tabletop over a channel formed in underside surface of the table top todefine a track along the underside surface of the table top, a guidelink located in the track for sliding motion along the underside surfaceof the table top and pivotably coupled to the associated left or rightlegs so that motion of the left and right legs between the extended useposition and the stowed storage position is controlled by the guide linkin the track, and the associated lock coupled to the table top andconfigured to selectively engage the guide link to block movement of theguide link when the associated left or right legs are in the extendeduse position.
 4. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the guide linkhas a U-shape including a mid-potion located in the track for slidingmotion along the underside of the table top and opposed ends oppositethe mid-portion and pivotably coupled to the associated left or rightlegs.
 5. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the slide includes afirst band and a second band spaced apart from the first band thatextend over the channel formed in the associated left or right panel ofthe table top to define the track along the underside of the table top.6. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein the lock includes a cam latchcoupled to the table top to pivot relative to the table top from anormally closed position to an open position in response to movement ofthe guide link toward a distal end of the track when the associated leftor right legs are moved from the stowed storage position to the extendeduse position and a spring located between the cam latch and the tabletop and configured to provide a bias force to the cam latch to urge thecam latch toward the normally closed position when the guide linkreaches the distal end of the track.
 7. The foldable table of claim 6,wherein the cam latch is formed to include a cam surface shaped so thatwhen the guide link is moved toward the distal end of the track intocontact with the cam surface the cam latch pivots from the normallyclosed position to the open position to allow the guide link to pass thecam latch to the distal end of the track and the cam latch pivots backtoward the normally closed position to retain the guide link at thedistal end of the track.
 8. The foldable table of claim 7, wherein thecam latch is shaped to include indentations sized to receive fingers ofa user that provide a handle grip configured to assist in receiving anopening force applied to the cam latch by the user when changing theassociated left or right legs from the extended use position to thestowed storage position.
 9. The foldable table of claim 3, wherein thelink lock includes a plate coupled to the table top, a lock pin coupledto the plate and moveable relative to the plate along a pin axis from anormally closed position in which the movement of the guide link isblocked when the associated left or right legs are in the extended useposition and an open position in which movement of the guide link ispermitted, and a spring located between the lock pin and the plate andconfigured to provide a bias force to the lock pin to urge the lock pintoward the normally closed position.
 10. The foldable table of claim 9,wherein the mid-portion of the guide link is formed to include a pinhole and the lock pin extends into the pin hole when the associated leftor right legs are in the extended use position to block movement of theguide link.
 11. A foldable table comprising a table top including a leftpanel, a right panel, and a pivot joint that interconnects the leftpanel and the right panel to allow movement of the table top from acollapsed position in which the left panel and the right panel arearranged to extend along one another so as to cover an underside of thetable top and an expanded position in which the left panel and the rightpanel are arranged to extend away from one another and exposing theunderside of the table top, a table top elevator configured to supportthe table top above an underlying floor, the table top elevatorincluding left legs pivotably coupled to the left panel of the table topand right legs pivotably coupled to the right panel of the table top,each of the left legs and right legs configured to pivot relative to thetable top about an associated pivot axis from a stowed storage positionin which the left and right legs extend along the underside of the tabletop and an extended use position in which the left and right legs extendfrom the underside of the table top, and a leg motion-control unitconfigured to control motion of the left legs and motion of the rightlegs from the stowed storage position to the extend use position duringuse of the foldable table and configured to retain the left and rightlegs in the extended use position during use of the foldable table, theleg motion-control unit including a left leg motion-control assemblyconfigured to coordinate motion of the left legs during movement of theleft legs from the stowed storage position to the extend use positionand a right leg motion-control assembly configured to coordinate motionof the right legs during movement of the right legs from the stowedstorage position to the extend use position, wherein each of the leftand right leg motion-control assemblies includes a slide fixed to theunderside of the table top over a channel formed in the associated leftor right panel of the table top to define a track along the underside ofthe table top, a guide link located in the track for sliding motionalong the underside of the table top and pivotably coupled to theassociated left or right legs so that motion of the left and right legsbetween the extended use position and the stowed storage position iscontrolled by the guide link in the track, and a link lock coupled tothe table top and configured to selectively engage the guide link toblock movement of the guide link when the associated left or right legsare in the extended use position.
 12. The foldable table of claim 11,wherein the guide link has a U-shape including a mid-potion located inthe track for sliding motion along the underside of the table top andopposed ends opposite the mid-portion and pivotably coupled to theassociated left or right legs.
 13. The foldable table of claim 12,wherein the slide includes a first band and a second band spaced apartfrom the first band that extend over the channel formed in theassociated left or right panel of the table top to define the trackalong the underside of the table top.
 14. The foldable table of claim13, wherein the link lock includes a cam latch coupled to the table topto pivot relative to the table top from a normally closed position to anopen position in response to movement of the guide link toward a distalend of the track when the associated left or right legs are moved fromthe stowed storage position to the extended use position and a springlocated between the cam latch and the table top and configured toprovide a bias force to the cam latch to urge the cam latch toward thenormally closed position when the guide link reaches the distal end ofthe track.
 15. The foldable table of claim 14, wherein the cam latch isformed to include a cam surface shaped so that when the guide link ismoved toward the distal end of the track into contact with the camsurface the cam latch pivots from the normally closed position to theopen position to allow the guide link to pass the cam latch to thedistal end of the track and the cam latch pivots back toward thenormally closed position to retain the guide link at the distal end ofthe track.
 16. The foldable table of claim 15, wherein the cam latch isshaped to include indentations sized to receive fingers of a user thatprovide a handle grip configured to assist in receiving an opening forceapplied to the cam latch by the user when changing the associated leftor right legs from the extended use position to the stowed storageposition.
 17. The foldable table of claim 13, wherein the link lockincludes a plate coupled to the table top, a lock pin coupled to theplate and moveable relative to the plate along a pin axis from anormally closed position in which the movement of the guide link isblocked when the associated left or right legs are in the extended useposition and an open position in which movement of the guide link ispermitted, and a spring located between the lock pin and the plate andconfigured to provide a bias force to the lock pin to urge the lock pintoward the normally closed position.
 18. The foldable table of claim 17,wherein the mid-portion of the guide link is formed to include a pinhole and the lock pin extends into the pin hole when the associated leftor right legs are in the extended use position to block movement of theguide link.
 19. The foldable table of claim 11, wherein the link lockincludes a cam latch coupled to the table top to pivot relative to thetable top from a normally closed position to an open position inresponse to movement of the guide link toward a distal end of the trackwhen the associated left or right legs are moved from the stowed storageposition to the extended use position and a spring located between thecam latch and the table top and configured to provide a bias force tothe cam latch to urge the cam latch toward the normally closed positionwhen the guide link reaches the distal end of the track.
 20. Thefoldable table of claim 19, wherein the cam latch is formed to include acam surface shaped so that when the guide link is moved toward thedistal end of the track into contact with the cam surface the cam latchpivots from the normally closed position to the open position to allowthe guide link to pass the cam latch to the distal end of the track andthe cam latch pivots back toward the normally closed position to retainthe guide link at the distal end of the track.